Cletus Mihm

Cletus Mihm, age 90, of St. Lucas, Iowa, died on Friday, December 31, 2010, at the Traditions Retirement Center in West Union, IA. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 4, 2011, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, IA, Rev. Nick March presiding. Burial will be in St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 3, 2011, at the St. Luke’s Historical Chapel in St. Lucas, IA. There will be a rosary at 4:00 and a scripture service at 5:00. Friends may also call after 9:30 at the Chapel on Tuesday morning. Cletus was born on February 29, 1920, the son of Louis and Theresa (Bruess) Mihm, near St. Lucas, IA. He was a lifelong member of St. Luke’s Parish of St. Lucas and was educated at St. Luke’s School. He married Viola Ameling, daughter of John and Mathilda (Kruse) Ameling, on May 8, 1945, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, IA. Cletus and Viola engaged in farming in the St. Lucas area until 1981 and they lived next to St. Luke’s Catholic Church in retirement. Cletus and Viola celebrated 54 years of marriage, prior to her passing on May 25, 1999. Cletus moved to Traditions of West Union in 2009. Cletus was active in his parish, the Knights of Columbus, and his community. His family is left with memories of a kind and gentle man who provided a role model of Christian family living to which we each aspire. We take solace in the belief that he has been reunited with his beloved wife and his Creator and the members of his family and his community that have gone before him. We are also thankful for the St. Lucas community that has sustained our family for over 150 years and will sustain us in this time of celebration of his life and sorrow of his passing. Cletus is survived by seven children: Dr. Harold (Georgia) Mihm of Bettendorf, IA; Marilyn (Robert) Coakley of Dubuque, IA; Ronald (Patti) Mihm of Rochester, MN; Gerald (Joie Lee) Mihm of Cresco, IA; Marvin (Mary) Mihm of Waverly, IA; Randolph (Bonnie) Mihm of Dubuque, IA; and Peggy (Robert) Schneden of Davenport, IA; as well as sixteen grandchildren: Matt (Jenna) Mihm, Martha (David Vandenberg) Mihm, Mary Mihm; Marcus (Kristine) Mihm; Michelle Coakley, Bill (Amanda) Coakley, Cindy Coakley; Melissa (Bob) Junge, Jeremy Mihm; Marissa (Chad Vineyard) Mihm, Marshall Mihm; Bradley Mihm, Elizabeth Mihm, Ben Mihm; Blake Schneden and Hailey Schneden. Eight great-grandchildren: Jaymen Mihm, Hunter & Elana Junge, Mallory, Owen & Harrison Mihm, Kaitlyn Vondran and Olivia Coakley. Cletus is also survived by three sisters: Marcella Schmitt, Lawler, IA; Margaret Smith, Raleigh-Durham, NC; and Dorothy Kuennen, Decorah, IA. Sisters-in-law: Frieda Mihm, St. Lucas, IA; Alma Ameling, St. Lucas, IA; Marcella Wurzer, Lawler, IA; Arlene Huinker, Calmar, IA; Bernice (Pat) Einck, Cedar Falls, IA; Colette Ameling, West Union, IA; and Ida Ameling, Fort Atkinson, IA; as well as a large extended family and dear friends of the St. Lucas community. Cletus was preceded in death by his wife: Viola Mihm. His parents: Louis and Theresa (Bruess) Mihm. One brother: Linus Mihm. His father and mother-in-law: John and Mathilda (Kruse) Ameling. Sisters-in-law: Bernice Ameling, Addie Ameling, and Elaine Ameling. Brothers-in-law: Jacob Schmitt, Milton Smith, Joseph Kuennen, Tony Wurzer, Robert Huinker, Joe Ameling, Richard Ameling, Irvin Ameling, Clarence Ameling, Alfred Ameling and Felix Ameling, and many of the members of his extended family.